Monday, August 25, 2008

::tidies up Don't Make Me Dance All Night for writing group on Friday::

::worries:: ::cringes::

::Hears "Put it in scene"::

::knows this:: ::laughs::

I wonder if I should send the MP3 that has been so inspirational. I hope I have the guts to dance at the end of the world. Because really, any other way would just be sad. Dance for the life you had. That is totally worthy.

Recent purchases: The Maytrees by Annie Dillard. I have yet to read anything by her except The Writing Life, so I thought it was time.

The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies because I love the premise. POW camp during the Second World War in Wales. Friendship tale. I did not know there were POW camps in Wales. Assuming that is true, really neat idea.

John Ashbury's Self Portrait in a Convex Mirror. I figured I should read more of him than I have found online. Can't wait! Skimming I found the best first line: "Once I let a guy blow me." That dear readers is starting a poem with gusto. He might have backed away from the experience (2nd line) but not enough not to write about it. That is a poet. So much info in that line. "Once", historical and never since but also in a contemplative state of mind. "I let" totally in control, "guy" the reveal... "blow me". End stopping on the reveal. Period. Short statement of fact.

I think I mentioned this already, but Mary Kinzie's A Poet's Guide to Poetry. Still enjoying.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

I am only about 15 pages in and so far I am quite impressed. I think she has been reading PFFA. Seriously ... despite of course the time line issue. The same outlook on craft and commitment to the work of poetry. Read read read is her motto it seems too. I am looking forward to the rest. I think it will be slow going, but that is just how it will be.

Between this and my new housecoat, red, and quite fluffy, I am quite the snug little not-bug.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

::is scheduling for writing group::

You don't know how happy this makes me. Really and truly, to sound like a 14 year old in love. I should add sparkles. And love hearts and Mrs.... signatures. And it isn't just the mango margaritas either. Though that does add a texture that isn't found on the page.

Two more vignettes have made their way off my hand. This makes me happy too. In some ways to write is to disappear into a room of one's own, and sometimes that is an especially nice feeling. The place is figurative, the feeling literal.

I write this while Word is opening, because my Word program is cranky, and old, and you really can't push it around. I think it gets tired sometimes. It isn't used as often as it should be, so it doesn't really have me as an excuse.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Things have been in flux since vacation with both visitors and business meetings. I haven't gotten as much writing done as I would have liked because of that. Time of one's own. I have been getting small bits done on the ever growing short story. Seems that time allowable is time spent. My daughter's clarinet lessons have provided an hour of uninterrupted time, so bits are written. I remember when my kids used to have speech class, the same thing happened. An hour of time. No distractions. The thing is even when I have time, looming possible interruptions are interruptions. Kinda like have a beeper that could go off anytime; it might not but the potential is there. I never liked beepers. The time needs to be non-interruptible time. I know I should learn another process, but heh...time.

It should help when the kids get back to school, and I get back to my regular work schedule. We shall see. Plus writing group is going to start up again, and that is always inspiring.